This was not my intended blog post today. In fact, I was thinking about Titus 2:11-12 instead, but a Facebook post by my daughter sent this commentary in a whole different direction.
A little background – Several months ago a gay couple, Ozzie Russ and Steve Schlairet, who live in Washington County, Florida, where my daughter and her family reside, filed a lawsuit to get the right to obtain a marriage license and marry one another in Florida.
A federal court judge ruled in the plaintiff’s favor writing in his opinion that the ban was unconstitutional, and yesterday the first day the ban was officially lifted, Washington County Clerk’s office issued three same-sex marriage licenses, including one to Russ and Schlairet.
This decision is contrary to the vote of the people that banned same-sex marriages in Florida. In Washington County, the ban was approved by a 9-1 margin.
My daughter posted the following in her disgust at the pastors who protested the decision at the court house - Ashamed of the pastors/residents protesting gay marriage in the Holmes/Washington County area. Just showing what redneck pieces of trash you are. You have all sinned and continue to do so. Unless you are involved in these people's marriage it's none of your business. If God wants to condemn these people he will do so at the pearly gates. It is not your place to judge! My children are taught to love not hate and none of them will ever attend a church that one of you pigs preaches at or other protesters attend. If we have to praise God from our homes we will!
Her post got me to thinking about the issue. And, I wrote the following in reply to her opinion - Amanda, you said it so well. Jesus said, "Love one another," (John 13:34-35 NIV) not hate and ridicule and intimidate and protest. If these people are going to protest sin, they best start in their own home. None of us are without sin, so the Good Book says. Adam and Eve guaranteed that. Maybe these folks should read Mary Ann Froehlic's book, "Courageous Gentleness - Following Christ's Example of Restrained Strength." Froehlich reminds everyone that gentleness is one of the qualities that draws many to God. This book provides a biblically sound understanding of what it means to be tenderhearted and kind in your relationships with family, neighbors, coworkers and even enemies, according to Discovery House, the publishers of this work. If you do not have a copy of this book in your family, church or local library, you can purchase one through this link. When you get it, READ IT AND APPLY IT TO YOUR LIFE and your dealings with others - friend or foe.
Of course I know what the Good Book has to say about immoral acts, homosexuality being one of them, Romans 1:26-27 NIV, but I also know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ consorted with men and women of questionable morals. How else would He have been able to share his message?
How can we fulfill the Great Commission Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) unless we get out in the world and preach the Gospel?
Personally, I believe in the message of the parable of the stoning of the immoral woman. Remember that one? Let those of you who are without sin cast the first stone. You’ll find the entire story in John 8 (NKJV).
I am confident that not one of those protestors are without sin. So I would suggest that they use some courageous gentleness by sharing the message of salvation to everyone, not just those that darken their church doors or follow their rules of compliance.
In my opinion, protest and ridicule are definitely no sharing God’s love for all mankind.
Jesus came to this world to offer salvation through faith in Him. We are no longer under the Law according to Romans 3:21-31 (NIV).
We, as believers, are saved through faith; saved by His grace – no more, no less. The Bible says so in Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
We are not, by any stretch of the imagination, free of sin. Even though we try to live as good, moral, Christian folk, sin permeates every facet of our life.
Food for thought? Sure got me thinking about a lot of things, not just gay marriage. How about you?
And, as is always my prayer for you, May God bless each and every one of you every day in every way. Amen!
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